BINTULU: General Manager of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), Zainal Abidin Abdullah emphasised Sarawak’s potential to become a leader in biomass utilisation during the Industry Update on Biomass Utilisation for Value-Added Products held here.

The event brought together key industry players and experts to explore the vast potential of Sarawak’s biomass resources for renewable energy and sustainable products.

Zainal officiated the event, which featured prominent speakers from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), including Dr Mahanim Sarif @ Mohd Ali, Dr Rafidah Jalil, Dr Tumirah Khadiran, and Puad Elham.

The experts shared their perspectives on the untapped potential of Sarawak’s biomass resources and the opportunities for value-added products.

In his address, Zainal underscored the abundance of natural resources in Sarawak, particularly agricultural and wood residues, which he described as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.

He called for the development of a robust framework for biomass research and stressed the need for collaboration between government, industry, and academia to advance Sarawak’s position in the renewable energy sector.

“The global demand for energy is rising, and fossil fuel use presents significant environmental challenges. By utilising biomass as fuel, we can significantly reduce emissions while creating financial benefits for various stakeholders,” he said.

Zainal highlighted the collaborative research between STIDC and FRIM, which demonstrated that Sarawak’s biomass has excellent properties for producing energy pellets.

These could be further enhanced through advanced processing techniques, he noted.

He also touched on the sustainable production of charcoal from local biomass, stating that it not only contributes to community development but also plays a key role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, Zainal pointed out the potential of activated carbon, a product made from biomass through carbonisation and activation, which has applications ranging from pollution control and medical use to energy storage solutions.

The event provided participants with valuable insights into the latest trends in the biomass industry, the economic potential of renewable energy, and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Zainal encouraged attendees to seize opportunities in the biomass sector, which he said could drive economic growth while contributing to a cleaner environment.

He noted the increasing global demand for solid biofuels and activated carbon, particularly from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, stating that Sarawak is well-positioned to meet this demand.

He noted that global demand for solid biofuels and activated carbon is on the rise, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, positioning Sarawak’s biomass industry to capitalise on this growing market.

In terms of exports, Sarawak’s biomass industry has shown remarkable growth. In 2023, the state’s wood pellet export value reached RM44.474 million, reflecting a 92.29 per cent increase from RM23.129 million in 2022.

This upward trajectory continued into 2024, with the export value reaching RM60.469 million in the third quarter, up 68.83 per cent from RM35.817 million during the same period in 2023.

Countries such as France, Japan, and Korea have demonstrated strong interest in Sarawak’s biomass products.

The biomass industry, Zainal said, plays a vital role in supporting a circular economy by ensuring the optimal use of raw materials, where nothing goes to waste. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and promotes sustainability by reducing environmental impacts.

Zainal concluded his speech by encouraging participants to actively engage in the sessions, exchange ideas, and collaborate on innovative solutions that would benefit both industry players and the environment. -UKASnews